How are elements arranged on the periodic table?

• A. By increasing atomic number
• B. By alphabetical order of element names
• C. By increasing atomic mass
• D. By the number of neutrons in the nucleus

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the periodic table is a systematic arrangement of elements based on their atomic structure.
2. Recall that the atomic number of an element is the number of protons in its nucleus, which uniquely identifies each element.
3. Recognize that elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, which reflects the increasing number of protons.
4. Note that this arrangement leads to periodic trends in chemical properties, as elements with similar properties appear in the same groups (columns).
5. Understand that arranging elements by atomic mass or other criteria does not consistently reflect their chemical behavior, which is why atomic number is the correct basis for the arrangement.